Major US cities are using taxes on ride-hailing services to make big changes. Philadelphia expects to spend $2.6 million on public schools from a 1.4 percent tax, while Chicago and Massachusetts are using a flat 15- and 20-cent fee to pay for infrastructure improvements. (Winnie Hu / NYT)

With its bike network only 25 percent done and 100 percent over budget, Baltimore city officials have delayed the work for a new reason — fire safety. A new rule says streets must have 20 feet of clearance for safety vehicles, a requirement most streets currently can't meet. (Angie Schmitt / Streetsblog USA)

Lyft will be dropping $270,000 to sponsor five Baltimore bikeshare stations for the next three years. As part of the partnership, the five stations will be rebranded as official Lyft passenger loading zones. (Colin Campbell / Baltimore Sun)

As you might expect, the single greatest employed of DC residents is still the federal government, though the 364,000 jobs is down 1.1 percent from 2016. Tourism, education, and healthcare are the biggest growth industries, with a 3 percent and 3.6 percent increase since 2016. (Jeff Clabaugh / WTOP)

Virginia's General Assembly budget committees have attempted to overhaul tolls on I-66 inside the Beltway, including lowering the target speed for vehicles. The Virginia Department of Transportation says it needs more data first. (Max Smith / WTOP)

In an effort to move away from an educational culture where teachers felt compelled to pass students in order to keep their jobs, DC teachers will not be assessed based on how many students pass their classes this year. (Perry Stein / Post)

Over a thousand letters were wrongfully sent by the DMV this past weekend informing DC residents that their car insurance had lapsed, resulting in a $2,500 fine. Now the DC DMV is scrambling to inform the recipients of the false alarm. (Peter Jamison / Post)

Narrowly making it under the deadline, a number of transportation bills received enough votes to stay alive in the Virginia General Assembly. Among them, a major funding bill for Metro, a firm ban on handheld phone usage when behind the wheel, and a few gas taxes. (Max Smith / WTOP)

After a decade of planning and work, the Capitol Riverfront is expected to finally break even this year. What's more, the Business Improvement District predicts that by 2025, the District will have made back double its investment. (Jeff Clabaugh / WTOP)

An Amtrak train carrying members of Congress collided with a garbage truck Wednesday morning. One of the three men in the truck was killed, while six others are being treated for injuries. One is listed as in critical condition. (Post)

Activist and cyclist Rob Bliss made a point about net neutrality by throttling traffic in front of the FCC building on 12th Street in DC with traffic cones, then offering drivers the opportunity to pay $5 to use his newly-created “fast lane." (Tristan Greene / Next Web)

A group of Democrats led by Gerry Connolly are proposing a bill that boosts Metro's funding by $50 million per year and another $2 billion over the next 20 years. In exchange, Metro would meet US DOT safety targets and allow a more independent inspector general. (Max Smith / WTOP)

On Wednesday, Rockville's mayor asked Metro when they plan on fulfilling their agreement to return full service to the Red Line trains to Rockville. The current budget does not include the promised return in the summer of 2018. (Dick Uliano / WTOP)

The National Air and Space Museum is embarking on a seven-year renovation that will take almost a billion dollars to see through. Luckily they've got some help — nine current competitors in the aviation business have donated a combined $28 million. (Peggy McGlone / Post)

The two-year-old system that governs I-66 rush hour lanes is slated to be taken down during toll construction by the next year. Once completed, the system will be replaced with permanent shoulders that are open to use during rush hour. (Max Smith / WTOP)

JUMP, a dockless electric-assist bikeshare company, is partnering with Uber so users in San Francisco will be able to book bikes directly from the Uber app. The deal is currently in an experimental phase with a small number of users. (Andrew J. Hawkins / The Verge)

Prince George's County is reconsidering its current policy of offering lawmakers a take home vehicle. The proposed plan would replace the existing car policy with a $10,000 raise alongside a 2.5 percent cost of living increase. (Arelis R. Hernandez / Post)

A report from the DC police's complaint board found that the reported uses of force by DC police were up 36 percent in 2017. However, DC police only fired their weapons in 10 incidents, the lowest in five years. (Neal Augenstein / WTOP)

With so many people hoping the Washington region secures Amazon's second HQ, it's important to think about what that would actually look like. How would a region with an already high cost housing market handle an influx of 50,000 jobs? (Amanda Iacone / WTOP)

DC community group AirBnB Watch are pressuring the DC Council to pass a bill that to regulate home-sharing services. The group claims these services are disrupting the fabric of neighborhoods and driving up the price of homes. (Rick Massimo / WTOP)

A recent report put Maryland as the third worst state to drive in based mainly on rush hour congestion, average commute time, and miles driven per person. Virginia's lower costs for gas and car maintenance bumped it up to 13th. (John Aaron / WTOP)

Note for WMATA: You can replace rail quickly — as long as you employ A LOT of people. Over 1,500 workers using seven trains and 23 excavators completed the removal and upgrade of a rail line in just under eight and a half hours in East China. (XinhuaNet)

Metro has closed the deal with Gilbane Development Co. to turn the current Metrorail parking lot into a 440-unit multifamily building with 12,000 square feet of retail. The site, which earned Metro $14.2 million, will be on the future Purple Line. (Michael Neibauer / WBJ)

While DC made its proposed sites for the Amazon HQ2 public, it kept the financial and tax incentives the city is offering the company a secret. Only senior government officials and Amazon executives know the actual dollar value DC offered. (Martin Austermuhle / WAMU)

A Maryland state delegate has proposed a bill that would add transit operators to the list of public servants protected by special laws. Assaulting a bus, train, or light-rail operator would result in up to 15 years in prison and a $5,000 fine. (Martine Powers / Post)

The region saw a 2.1 percent increase in regional product in 2017, a big improvement from last year but shy of the national 2.7 percent increase. The growth is expected to continue, with the biggest job growth occurring in North Virginia. (Andy Medici / WBJ)

In a letter Wednesday, Virginia Rep. Barbara Comstock requested a detailed explanation from Metro regarding the nature of Monday's derailment outside Farragut North station, including records of the conditions of the track. (Martine Powers / Post)

Following a new inspection, the National Park Service says DC's last trolley trestle is at serious risk of collapsing. They said the same thing back in August of 2016, when they first closed the trail that leads to it in Georgetown. (Luz Lazo / Post)

After Uber and Lyft refused to share their raw trip data, researchers had to devise their own methods to track how much of an impact on traffic ride-hailing companies were having in US cities. Here's what they came up with. (Laura Bliss / The Atlantic)

An online survey asked 1,030 people what their preferred alternative to paying the tolls on I-66 would be, and carpooling ranked fourth. Most popular by far was finding an alternate route, with Metro/commuter bus as the least popular choices. (Amanda Lacone / WTOP)

Homeowners around the US often feel owning a piece of land gives them a right to shape the area beyond. The roots of this attitude started in nuisance laws, but over the decades homeowners' expectations have expanded. (Emily Badger / NYT)

County Manager Mark Schwartz is taking an aggressive stance towards remodeling how Arlington's BAC will operate. Schwartz wants to remove members who have been mostly absent and replace them with people who can represent more parts of the cycling community. (Chris Teale / ARLnow)

The US's auto-industry capital is looking to improve bike safety with a set of new laws that could send a powerful message. One law would require motorists to use five feet of clearance when passing a bike — the second-highest requirement in the country. (David Eggert / WTOP)

A recent study by the Florida DoT tracked 100 cyclists to help identify the causes of traffic accidents in a state with three times the national average cyclist fatality rate. Unsurprisingly, car-centric street design and reckless drivers were the leading factors. (Angie Schmitt / Streetsblog USA)

Much of the east coast was hit by the beginning of a storm system last night, with snow in some areas and sub-zero temperatures to follow through the weekend. Virginia has already declared a state of emergency to prepare for the storm. (Ian Livingston / Post)

Different animals have different needs, so when temperatures plummet, the National Zoo staff makes sure animals that need warmth are snug indoors. Some, like the cheetah, enjoy the frigid weather more than you'd expect. (Kathy Goldgeier / WAMU)

DC is staying true to its pledge to offer shelter to any who seek it during the winter months. Not many cities make such a commitment, so its important to spread the word that beds are available for those who need. (Ally Schweitzer / WAMU)

Surprisingly, cities with the lowest percentage of evictions are among the most expensive in the country. The lowest five include San Jose, San Francisco, San Diego, Los Angeles and Boston, and DC was tied with New Orleans at number 10. (Michele Lerner / Post)

Single-tracking on Saturday will reduce Silver, Orange and Blue lines service to once every 24 minutes, while the Red Line will have some single-tracking up until 6 pm on Sunday, when service will resume normalcy for the rest of the night. (Max Smith / WTOP)

While there remains some doubt as to whether or not Vision Zero will get the results it boldly seeks, Alexandria joins DC in aiming for no fatalities or serious injuries through a variety of measures, including making intersections safer. (Washcycle)

A new report has examined multiple cities across the US who have adopted the principles of Vision Zero's plan to reduce traffic fatalities to zero. Unfortunately, it seems very little progress is actually being made, if any at all. (Angie Schmitt / Streetsblog USA)

Parents at Ballou high school, which was recently embroiled in a graduation scandal, say they need more support for teachers, more counselors, and after school programs. This will be difficult because the school is struggling financially. (WAMU. Tip: Arlington County Department of Community Planning, Housing and Development)

With the Georgetown Branch Trail being abruptly shut down, getting to and through Bethesda by bicycle has become an urgent safety problem. Bethesda residents and advocates are asking Montgomery County to fund a bicycle network to fill the gap. (Garrett Hennigan / WABA. Tip: via WABA)

Maryland's gubernatorial candidate James L. Shea has released a plan for expanding Maryland's public transit system, including reviving the light rail Red Line in Baltimore and expanding MARC train services. (Post)

In a long-extended (and ultimately unfinished) legal battle, a federal judge has ruled that Metro was not discriminatory in its choice to not run religious Christmas ads from the Catholic Archdiocese of Washington on its buses. (Mikaela Lefrak / WAMU)

Only 5.1 percent of Americans workers regularly use public transportation, the Census Bureau shows. The vast majority of these commuters are located in only 20 cities, such as New York where 31 percent regularly take the bus or train. (Justin Fox / BloombergView)

Are the expensive proposals to introduce high-speed transit to Maryland in the form of Maglev trains and the Hyperloop realistic? Maybe not, but many officials are happy to let the futuristic companies duke it out in the free market. (Andrew Zaleski / CityLab)

Approaching the development of cities with children in mind may be the solution to many issues involved in urban living. Cities such as Rotterdam, Vancouver, and Toronto have begun to incorporate urban youth into positive development. (Patrick Sisson / Curbed)

Due to the ongoing financial crisis, DC's only public hospital United Medical Center has announced that its nursery and delivery rooms will be permanently closed. This closure leaves Southeast DC perilously devoid of prenatal care. (Peter Jamison / Post)

Virginia's governor-elect has revealed his transportation team: Shannon Valentine for Secretary of Transportation, Stephen Birch for VDOT Commissioner, and Jennifer Mitchell will maintain her role as Director of Rail and Public Transportation. (Lori Aratani / Post)

Virginia’s Republican House majority leader Kirkland Cox says he would like to help Metro, under the condition that there are "rigorous reforms" to curtail labor costs and ensure safety. (Robert McCartney / Post)

Boston's DOT put together a low-budget one-day pilot to test a dedicated bus lane during morning rush hour — and it seems to be quite popular. Another one-day trial is planned for next week, followed by further testing in Spring. (Angie Schmitt / Streetsblog USA)

Maryland's Department of Transportation detailed their $9 billion express toll lane project in front of more than 100 potential companies Wednesday. Up to $7.6 billion of the project could be done through a public-private partnership. (Katherine Shaver / Post)

The good news is that none of the 25 deadliest highways are located the Washington area. A detailed infographic displays which highways are the most dangerous, when they're the most dangerous, and even how their deadly accidents occur. (Josh Fisher / FleetOwner)

Although traffic fatalities involving large commercial trucks are on the rise (nearly 4000 in 2015), Trump's administration is fighting to prevent new safety rules from being implemented. Some rules have already been repealed. (Angie Schmitt / Streetsblog USA)

Jack Evans introduced a bill to give a $2 million tax break for a planned hotel near Dupont Circle, but is refusing to explain why it is necessary. The hotel claims the tax break will be offset by the tax revenue the hotel will bring to the area. (Rebecca Cooper / WBJ)

Virginia's transportation secretary Aubrey Layne says there are no plans to make any changes to the I-66 tolls while data is still being collected. Referring to the high toll prices Layne said, “If you don’t want to pay it, it’s pretty simple: put somebody else in your car.” (Max Smith / WTOP)

Montgomery's County Council has approved the purchase of 0.4 acres of land for a small park and civic area near the Capital Crescent trail. The land purchased for the park will be tied in with the nearby future Purple Line Station. (Andrew Metcalf / Bethesda)

]]>Thu, 07 Dec 2017 13:35:00 +0000Joe Stenhouse (Contributor)Breakfast links: The story about the DC high school where every senior got into college is not what it seemshttps://ggwash.org/view/65728/breakfast-links-american-airlines-doesnt-have-enough-pilots-for-christmas
https://ggwash.org/view/65728/breakfast-links-american-airlines-doesnt-have-enough-pilots-for-christmas

DC's public high school Ballou made the news earlier this year when their entire senior class was accepted into college, but a joint WAMU/NPR investigation found many students who graduated should not have. (Kate McGee / WAMU)

The overwhelming majority of Arlington residents support protected bike lanes, according to a survey released recently by Mobility Lab and BikeArlington. Almost ninety percent of respondents say they would like to bike more. (Ashley Robbins / Mobility Lab)

It's possible Christmas week flights from National Airport, as well as other airports around the country, could be canceled because a glitch in the scheduling system has left as many as 15,000 mid-December flights without assigned pilots. (Lori Aratani / Post)

A Superior Court judge ruled that minister and power broker Rowena Joyce Scott must return $242,605 to a housing nonprofit in Ward 8. The case alleged that Scott misappropriated funds for the upkeep of the 360-unit building she was managing. (Peter Jamison / Post)

While the plans are still long term, Montgomery County has begun looking at a potential 0.4 acre park along the Capital Crescent Trail. The recently-approved plan pays $8.5 million for the plot of land, in hopes of developing it by 2022. (WashCycle)

Another year, same traffic plan. The security plan for the 95th National Christmas Tree Lightning Thursday will be the same as it was last year, with street closures and redirected Metro bus routes from noon till 8 pm. (Dave Dildine / WTOP)

Express wanted to try a different kind of test of the bikeshares that have been cropping up around the District lately. They recruited six triathletes with comparable times, put them each on a different bike, and had them race across town. (Sadie Dingfelder / Post)

Fairfax is looking to go all in on walkable areas in the near future. According to their latest plan, while 90 percent of the land mass will remain suburban, 99 percent of retail, industrial, office, and hotel development will be in walkable areas. (Fairfax)

For the 13th year running, Alexandria has made it into the top 10 tech cities in the US for its population category (125,000-250,000). The tech-savvy city is planning to spend another $52 million on IT over the next 10 years. (James Cullum / TechnicallyDC)

After securing additional funding back in April, the Columbia Pike Revitalization Organization has been able to do more of what they set out to do originally — support more community events and help bring businesses to the Pike. (Chris Teale / ARLnow)

While DC proper might not fulfill all of Amazon's needs for their new headquarters, Crystal City can offer the benefits of the greater Washington region along with lower taxes, and the room necessary to house Amazon's big plans. (ARLnow)

WSSC, a water utility that provides for around two million people, has recommended a trio of proposals aimed at reducing the cost on larger households (by up to $114 quarterly savings) and helping ensure more predictable bills. (Katherine Shaver / Post)

A 440-unit apartment complex southeast of the College Park Metro Station has just been approved by Prince George's planning board. The project also includes updates to the bike and pedestrian tunnel as well as a bikeshare station. (WashCycle)

What's the cost of keeping Metro open past 11:30 pm after the game? $100,000, which the Nationals haven't paid. Another wrinkle? The Foo Fighters will be playing at The Anthem nearby, ensuring even more crowds. (Martin Di Caro / WAMU)

The DC contingent of the Metro board will veto any attempt to hand over Metro land for use in building the Purple Line unless Maryland members change their mind and support reorganizing the board. (Faiz Siddiqui / Post)

A recent study looked into exactly how Metro compared with Uber over a variety of different trips - some with train transfers, some without, and the difference between Uber X and Uber Pool. (Nena Perry-Brown / UrbanTurf)

The WashCycle is helping the University of Maryland to map cycling safety in DC, and they need your help. Simply go to their website, watch some videos, and leave a rating based on the cycling safety in the video. Every bit helps! (WashCycle)

It took a lot of steps to bring the Wharf to fruition, including a lawsuit, four acts of Congress, over 800 meetings with community groups, the work of 22 architecture firms, and $3 million spent on soundproofing. (Marisha M. Kashino / Washingtonian)

Opponents currently locked in a court battle against the Purple Line construction is now seeking $50,000 from Chevy Chase to help cover court costs. Chevy Chase will hold a public hearing to discuss the donation. (Andrew Metcalf / Bethesda)

The past 2 years represent the worst traffic fatality increase in 50 years. All forms of traffic deaths are rising (including a 9% increase in pedestrian fatalities), and there seems to be little reaction from the federal agencies reporting these numbers. (Angie Schmitt / Streetsblog USA)

Scientists who led a groundbreaking study in the Chesapeake Bay found rising acidification, which can severely disrupt the ecosystem by harming oysters, which - aside from being a staple of the local fishing industry - also feed blue crabs. (Scott Dance / Post)

9:30 Club is a legendary part of the DC music scene, but that doesn't mean The Anthem, which opens today at The Wharf and has the same owner, is a replacing the venerated venue. Instead, The Anthem uses art, engineering, and a blank slate to create a different kind of public space. (Rudi Greenberg / Post)

A small group of transit enthusiasts dig into MBTA data, and make recommendations about ways to do a better job with the Boston area's transit... and the agency listens to them! (Bruce Mohl / CommonWealth)

DDOT is moving forward with expanding the streetcar to Benning Road after securing the necessary funding. An environmental assessment is currently underway, with construction plans starting in 2021. (Karen Goff / WBJ)

Dupont Circle will convert street parking to a ride-hailing drop-off zone on weekend nights for the next year. The experiment is part of DDOT's efforts to alleviate traffic concerns. (Rachel Sadon / DCist)

While Baltimore's struggle with bikeshare-related crime does cause concern, it's important to remember that many cities have struggled to get their bikeshare programs off the ground. New York, Paris, and even DC all overcame problems with theft. (Luz Lazo / Post)

The DC Council has unanimously voted to end the long-standing (but only recently enforced) ban on dogs enjoying bar and restaurant patios. Whether or not dogs will be allowed on the premises will now be up to the store owner. (Rachel Chason / Post)

Archaeologists in Alexandria City have uncovered the foundation of Pioneer Mills, a flour mill from 1854 that represented Alexandria's power as a manufacturing and port city. The crews are digging as part of the site's redevelopment into housing and retail. (Alexa Epitropoulos / Alexandria Times)

DC is predicted to outpace the national economy's growth in 2017 for the first time since 2010. But while the numbers are up (and predicted to keep going up in 2018), DC isn't keeping up with other major cities. (Andy Medici / WBJ)

A developer has renderings of its plan to tear down a food court at Bethesda Metro Center Plaza and replace it with retail, office space, and housing. Brookfield Property Partners will present the project to the public on October 11. (Nena Perry-Brown / UrbanTurf)

Baltimore and DC are both being nominated as potential hosts for the 2026 World Cup. The United Bid Committee, comprised of the United States, Canada, and Mexico, will continue evaluating the cities before a final list is due in March 2018. (Jonas Shaffer / Baltimore Sun)

Some Silver Spring residents say they've been notified less than a week before construction on the Purple Line is supposed to start near their homes. They want the state to give 30-day notice, like for previous projects. Maryland has loosened that guideline for the Purple Line. (Katherine Shaver / Post)

The District is full of murals - now, another 10 murals will appear, as part of the Department of Public Works' fight against graffiti. They are expected to be complete by mid-October, weather permitting. (Rachel Sadon / DCist)

A stretch of I-95 in Northern Virginia has a staggering 23 traffic jams a day, making it the worst in the nation, according to a report on traffic congestion in the US. Overall the DC region was 3rd in the estimated 10-year costs of traffic congestion across major US cities. (Katherine Shaver / Post)

Activists and Safeway tentatively agreed to allow the grocery store to sell alcohol. Stipulations include putting the alcohol section away from the registers. The plan still needs to go before the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board for a vote. (Perry Stein / Post)

Overall, the US gets a lot of "F"s in walkability, according to a coalition of major health organizations, including the American Medical Association. The high point was a "C" in adult walking behavior. (Angie Schmitt / Streetsblog USA)

Go Together Inc., a company based in DC, works with schools to help parents and staff find carpooling solutions. After a few years of working with private and public charter schools, they're looking for funding to expand into public school systems. (Caitlin Burke / WBJ)

After a successful court battle, a group of advocates for climate realism have ensured that the US DOT will have to follow the carbon rule, which requires state transportation departments to assess the carbon impact of upcoming projects. (Angie Schmitt / Streetsblog USA)

The Blue, Orange, and Silver Lines will be running trains every 24 minutes this weekend as workers handle a variety of projects. The Red Line will be less impacted with trains every 15 minutes along with some single tracking. (Christina Sturdivant / Post)

Mayor Bowser's bill to reform the homeless services system has been delayed due to discussions over the increase in residency requirements. People seeking emergency shelter would have to provide twice the proof to show they were DC residents. (Martin Austermuhle / WAMU)

More people are working at home, so the nation lost a share of bike commuters, but DC actually set a record at 4.6%, 0.5% higher than last year. This places DC just behind Portland for the nation's highest rate in a major city. (WashCycle)

Derelict properties owned by foreign embassies dot the District, and the DC Council and State Department want foreign countries to clean them up. There have been complaints, but options are limited while they're considered "foreign soil." (Jenna Portnoy / Post)

The Greater Washington Partnership, a coalition of business people from the region and Richmond, wants to improve transportation, provide more jobs, and help the DC region's economy grow. (Sarah Gantz / Baltimore Sun)

For the past few years, more people have left than people have moved in, and the trend poses a real threat to the region's economy if it persists. Baby boomers and retirees are the most likely to leave, while educated young professionals are most likely to move here. (Andy Medici / WBJ)

Since the last American Community Survey in 2009, District residents have become wealthier, are less likely to work in the public sector, and are more likely to commute by bike. (Nena Perry-Brown / UrbanTurf)

DC's Department of General Services is replacing 3 artificial turf fields after more than 12 failed inspection. Mayor Bowser will convene a working group to decide how to handle the city's 52 artificial fields, and many of which will need to be replaced soon due to age. (Rachel Sadon / DCist)

When a 14-year-old girl was hit by a driver outside Philadelphia, the local police and news were quick to blame her, saying she wasn't paying attention. They only changed their tune once they found out the driver was going 21 miles per hour over the speed limit. (Angie Schmitt / Streetsblog)

As dockless bikeshare spreads its wings here in DC, encouraging news comes by way of Seattle, whose dockless bikeshare program has increased the average number of bikeshare rides from 0.7 to 2.2 per day over their old, station-bound system. (David Gutman / TheSeattleTimes)

A new Proterra bus has broken the previous record for an electric vehicle (1,013.8 miles) with a staggering 1,101.2 miles on a single charge. This E2 model bus is expected to hit the streets of LA later in 2017. (Jon Fingas / Engadget)

If Maryland and Montgomery County are serious about netting Amazon, it will have to move really, really fast on the Purple Line. Amazon wants its new headquarters to be done by 2019, and the light rail line might not be complete until 2022. (Patrick Thornton / Washingtonian)

Paving on a section of the 40-mile Gerry Connolly Cross County Trail in Fairfax County will start September 17 and last until May 2018. The segment between Braddock Road and Accotink Parkway will experience closures throughout the project. (Fairfax)

Ford has finally explained the bizarre sightings of a man dressed as a seat behind the wheel of a "driverless" car in Clarendon last month. The car was part of a study to determine the best ways for driverless cars to signal to pedestrians when its safe to cross. (Chris Teale / ARLnow)

Metro has shown a 17% decrease in serious crime charges for the first half of the year, while Wiedefeld's fare evasion crackdown has more than doubled the number of fare evasion citations. Over 52% of Metro's arrests this year were for fare evasion. (Max Smith / WTOP)

The water tank for DC's newest water tower was raised 170 feet and secured to the top of the tower. The last tower was installed in 1945. This tower will mostly aid Ward 8 residents, once it is fully operational in spring 2018. (Christina Sturdivant / DCist)

For the first time in 8 years, DC's median household income fell, from $76,233 to $75,506. While it was not a major decline, the District was one of only 7 counties in the 68 major urban centers that saw a decline. (Julie Zaumer / Post)

DC and Virginia, along with 14 states, filed a lawsuit against rescinding the DACA program, claiming it is tied to President Trump's commitment to "punish and disparage people with Mexican roots." They also cite the financial damage to states without the program. (Matt Zapotosky / Post)

The new lawsuit seeking a halt to Purple Line construction aims to prevent the cutting down of trees while the original lawsuit is being resolved - a delay that could cost Maryland upwards of $400,000 per day. District Judge Leon has delayed ruling until the financial numbers are more clear. (Katherine Shaver / Post)

The Maryland’s Board of Public Works approved $61 million in cuts to the state budget, which will affect the state's health department. It did not agree to cut grant funding for Baltimore County and Prince George's County. (Josh Hicks / Post)

The most recent ACT test scores show that 9% of students who faced 3 disadvantages (low-income families, parents who didn't go to college, and racial minorities) were strongly ready for college, while 54% of students who had none of these disadvantages scored strongly ready. (Nick Anderson / Post)

The average rent for a 2-bedroom apartment to $1,550 a month, $390 higher than the national average. Rent has grown for seven straight months in DC. Rockville is growing the fastest in the region, while Bethesda has the priciest rents at $2,400 a month for a 2-bedroom. (Michelle Goldchain / Curbed)

An Alabama congressman is trying to block funding for DC's Reproductive Health Non-Discrimination Act by spreading lies about what the law does, saying it forces employers to cover abortions. In reality, it protects employees from discrimination based on reproductive health. (Rachel Kurzius / DCist)

The new Marriott headquarters slated to arrive in downtown Bethesda could have 100,000 more square feet than previously expected, bringing the total for the project to over 1 million square feet. (Bethany Rodgers / Bethesda)

Officials at the National Cathedral have decided to remove two stained-glass windows depicting Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson. The 64-year old windows will be held in storage while the church seeks a way to display them in a historical context. (Michelle Boorstein / Post)

The FTA has approved the final 3 requested safeguards to help stop trains from running red lights. They focused on the visibility of signal markers, as well as making sure trains were stopped when automated systems said they were stopped. (Max Smith / WTOP)

The 70, 74, and 79 buses have consistently made up one of the busiest routes in all of DC. Ridership on this 10-mile stretch competes with rail lines like the Baltimore light rail - what makes it so popular? (Dan Reed / Washingtonian)

The city's new Vision Zero project to teach traffic computers how to recognize near misses at intersections, and DC needs your help to identify objects in footage to improve the underlying algorithms. (Christina Sturdivant / DCist)

Maryland is adding a foruth eastbound lane to the Severn River Bridge, which will cost $22.8 million. Construction will start on September 5 and is scheduled to end in May 2018. Over 125,000 vehicles cross the bridge every day. (Josh Hicks / Post)

The average DC driver spends 65 hours a year looking for a spot to park. According to a new report, that amounts to $1,367 each year just searching for a spot to park - the 4th highest in the nation behind New York, LA and San Francisco. (NBC)

It's no secret that DC's rent is very high, but a new study shows that DC renters are more likely to move than renters in other cities and 42 percent say they move because of high rent. The study notes that many of them don't intend to go far - just to Baltimore. (Michele Lerner / Post)

Karen Keys-Gamarra, who had the support of the Democratic Party, won a special election for an at-large school board seat in Fairfax County on Tuesday. Her term may be especially important, since the county will need to discuss issues such as transgender student rights. (Moriah Balingit / Post)

Metro's Bethesda, White Flint, Grosvenor-Strathmore, and Medical Center stations will be closed for the next two weekends for maintenance. Shuttle buses will be available to fill in the gaps in service. (Christina Sturdivant / DCist)

Metro has fallen significantly behind it its bridge inspections due to uncertified equipment, a recent report revealed. This equipment, necessary for inspectors to assess the state of Metro's many bridges, has been unavailable for over a year. (Max Smith / WTOP)

President Trump signed on off on the Metro Safety Commission, making the long-awaited oversight committee law. The commission still needs to establish a headquarters and staff before it can begin its work, though. (Rachel Kurzius / DCist)

Arlington is experimenting with priority parking for carpoolers and free Capital Bikeshare memberships for all teachers, among other methods, to encourage teachers to get to school without solo-car commuting. (Angie Schmitt / Streetsblog USA)

The DC Dream Center, a community center converted from an abandoned apartment building, has opened. It will feature a variety of free programs, like after-school activities for kids and yoga classes. (Christina Sturdivant / DCist)

According to this map, the Watergate is the leader in emitting greenhouse gasses, with the Organization of American States and George Washington University in 2nd and 3rd, respectively. The map uses data from buildings 10,000 square feet or larger to track emissions in DC. (Rachel Sadon / DCist)

While math scores remain a mixed bag for Maryland schools, the state experienced significant increases in English scores for all grades over the past year. In Prince George's County, grades 3 to 5 gained the most in English. (Donna St. George / Post)

A multi-restaurant hub is planned for a mixed-use development near the Potomac Avenue Metro station. The project will house 5 restaurants and 2 bars or coffee shops in the 12,500 square foot ground-floor space of the new development. (Drew Hansen / WBJ)

Virginia Tech is testing ways for its autonomous vehicles to detect animals on the road and program cars to avoid them or stop. The university's team has also thought about preventing animals from wandering onto roads and integrating animal sightings into Waze. (Kelley Coyner / Mobility Lab)

Even though state transportation agencies are supposed to be concerned with biking, public transit, and walking, they typically end up focusing on highways. Streetsblog looks at Cleveland, which has neglected to increase walkability and bicycle lanes. (Angie Schmitt / Streetsblog)